Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, seen here in Ottawa in 2010, says she doesn't see the logic behind Health Canada's cuts to national aboriginal organizations that provide health-related programs. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

"I really fail to see the logic," said Mary Simon, president of ITK.

"The government is saying aboriginal people are a priority for this country, but you take away the tools for the national organizations to do their work?"

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said her priority is to protect primary health care.